South Carolina Unemployment

Do I qualify for unemployment benefits in South Carolina?

If losing your job wasn’t your fault and your employer(s) paid taxes in your name, you can receive unemployment benefits if your year’s income prior to the quarter you lost work meets a specified minimum. (They’ll mail you about your monetary eligibility.)

To receive benefits, you must:

be seeking full-time employment

be able to work

be available for work.

Employers fund unemployment insurance entirely. It is not welfare nor are funds withheld from your pay for these benefits.

Have Your Benefits Run Out? Click this link to find out how to get an unemployment extension: Unemployment Extension

Wages Determine Your Benefits

Wages earned doing one year of insured work—the base period—determine your benefits. Only wages earned from an employer covered by South Carolina employment security law count as base-period wages. Generally wages earned from construction, factory work, mills, shops, stores, offices, banks, mines, and other businesses employing one or more persons count. The law does not cover certain farm labor, certain domestic services in private homes, and several other employment types.

You cannot file for extended state benefits on this site. You must file in person at your local workforce center. Living outside South Carolina? Call 800.529.8339 to file for extended benefits. Extended Benefits are benefits available after you exhaust your federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation. The State Extended Benefits extends benefits for up to 13 additional weeks. State Extended Benefits are available for individuals who have exhausted all regular unemployment insurance and all Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC), First, Second, Third and Fourth Tier on or after February 15, 2009.

Filing Your Claim

You must have earned sufficient wages in order to establish an entitlement to benefits. You will receive a determination in the mail advising you of your monetary eligibility.

You must be able to and available for work and be actively seeking full-time employment in order to receive benefits.

If you have quit or been discharged from your job, you may be disqualified from receiving benefits. Your claim will be evaluated and you will be notified of any disqualification that is imposed.

You will not be paid for the first week you are eligible in each benefit year.

Your continuing eligibility to receive benefits will be periodically reviewed.

Unemployment insurance benefits are taxable.

Eligibility Requirements

You cannot file a claim unless eligible. Being eligible means you meet the following requirements:

You’re unemployed. Note: If you work less than full time due to being out of work and earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you are still considered unemployed. Remember, when filing your weekly claim, report all work you did and wages you earned that week. Plus, you still must be seeking full-time work.

It was not your fault that you lost your job from your most recent bona fide employer. We define “most recent bona fide employer” as your most recent former employer where you earned eight times your weekly benefit amount.

You are able to work.

You are available for full-time work and willing to take any suitable work offer.

You regularly report to the local Workforce Center as expected. If you know you will be away at reporting time you let the center know in advance. Failure to report puts your benefits at risk.

You actively seek appropriate, full-time work. Failure to seek work jeopardizes your benefits. While we will do all we can to help you find work, you must make a consistent, ongoing effort.

How do I file for South Carolina unemployment benefits?

SC Unemployment Claims Processes

The SC Unemployment claims process consists of three steps. Understanding each step is vital. Before you file a claim, understand what each step does and how you can best file and register for work. Anytime you need help, refer to the information you find here.

The first step is the “File Your Initial Claim.” The second step is “Register For Work.” The third step is “File Your Weekly Claim.” Each step makes good things happen for you and understanding each step’s purpose makes things go smoother for all.

Step 1—Your Initial Claim

You file your first, or Initial Claim, per benefit year. When you make your initial claim, you can also register for work. It’s an easy, automatic way to register for work. Your initial claim determines if you are eligible for benefits. File this claim in two ways: in person at one of the SC Unemployment offices, or online. After you make this one-time claim, it becomes Step 2, Register For Work. Register for work and file your initial claim now:https://secure.sces.org/PDIC/GatewayServlet?hptAppId=ICFJREG&hptExec=Y

Note: Once you file your initial claim, you’ll receive a notice with your wages from all covered employers during your base period. We’ll determine if your wages qualify you for benefits. If they do, you’ve established a benefit year. Think wages are missing? Report to your local unemployment office with documentation for missing wages.

Step 2—Register For Work

You register for work just one time and you must do it within two weeks of filing your initial claim. If you don’t, you won’t receive a check. The unemployment office expects and requires that you seek work on an ongoing basis. Getting you back to work is the top priority. You can register for work in three ways:

South Carolina Unemployment Office Contact Information

SC Unemployment Website

SC Unemployment Mailing Address

1550 Gadsden StreetP.O. Box 995Columbia, South Carolina 29202

SC Unemployment Phone Number

1.866.831.1724

Maybe We Can Help:

If you can't find the answer to your question, you can fill out the comment form below and I will answer your question ASAP, or you can ask the The Unemployment Expert or you can post your question in the Unemployment Forum

Comments

My question is this; My employer was changing my job and I decided to leave this company voluntarily. Am I definitely disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits in South Carolina or should I apply for a determination ??? Thank you.

My question is this; My employer was changing my job and I voluntarily left the company. Am I definately disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits in South Carolina or should I apply for a determination ??? Thank you.

I HAD TO LEAVE MY JOB AS MY MOTHER NEEDED IMMEDIATE HELP IN COLORADO, SHE BROKE HER ARM AND SHOULDER AND MY DOWNS SYNDROME SISTER WHO SHE CARES FOR WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE FOR 3 WEEKS, BOTH OF THEM REQUIRING LONG TERM CARE.

I am 1 of 4 owners of a small corporation in South Carolina. We have been in business for 30 years and have been paying into unemployment, including owners salaries, for years. We are tied into the building industry and probably going to be shutting the business down by year end. I have not been able to collect any salary and have been "laid off". Can I collect now or after the business closes? If not can I get all the money I have paid in back?

My most recent employer laid me off and is not objecting to benefits, however my benefits have been held up for 5weeks while the state is figuring out which employer is liable. I had another employer earlier this year( until I found a better job) from which I didn't earn my weekly benefit amount so I continued to file my weekly claim. Can you tell me what the possible outcomes might be in this situation?

I was laid off my job around two months ago due to lack of work in SC. I filed for and received unemployment benefits. I just recently received an appeal notice in the mail stating that a former employer has filed an appeal and that if I am not eligible, I will have to repay my benefits. The former employer is the employer that I worked for previously leaving on my own accord to take the new job that I was let go due to lack of work. Appartently my base quarter fell while working under that employer. What are the chances of them winning the appeal? I have been using the money for groceries and do not like the thought of having to pay it back. How long does this process usually take? Thank you!

I quit my job because my principal at my school has been bullying me since last year. This year was my tenure year and she began the year threatening to not give me tenure. I have reported her actions to her superiors with no result. I eventually had to quit in fear that she would ruin my career. I have several witnesses and documents, from her superiors, to support the bullying was unwarranted and not allowed. However, she continued placing professional counseling letters in my file and continued to threaten my tenure. Am I likely to win an appeal for unemployment if I basically quit to save my career? What would be my best route for winning an appeal?

Advise. Out on fml during a hospitalization. Once fml ran out was granted extended leave. during this time, my job was 'eliminated'. My employer is aware of my return date, but has said there are now no positions available. If I 'no-show' on the date i'm scheduled to return, they'll terminate me. But, if I return, they'll be no position for me. I want to be able to get unemployment. Seems if I let them terminate me, I wont be eligible after 25+ years of service. But, if I return my 'desk job' has been eliminated and I may be forced to take a 'cleaning position' if I refuse it, they may fire me and say they offered me a job. Thereby, denying my unempmt. Id love to hear your thoughts.

I had been on my job for 14 yrs. I got hurt in Jan. of 2010 breaking my leg/ankle in several places. I was out for 13 mos receiving long term disability. When I tried to return to my job I was told I could NOT return because I had work restrictions. A month later the company let me go because they could only hold my job for a year. Mind you, I TRIED to return but the company said NO. My LTD is no longer paying me even though I am still having trouble walking etc. I cannot walk up stairs, cannot squat, stoop etc. Am I eligible to receive unemployment? I have actively been working for the past 26 yrs and working 2 jobs for the past 10 yrs! I've never collected any unemployment benefits. I am currently waiting for a hearing to see if I will receive disability. This could take years. In the meantime I have no income, recently became homeless since I have no income and my daughter had to quit attending college. We've been sleeping in our car for 2 mos amid snowstorms etc. Some days I can barely walk.Am I eligible? I did not quit my job.

I live in SC and was fired in 8/09. My employer objected to my eligibility. They originally took eight weeks away from me, I appealed and it was lessened to 5 weeks. My Unemployment benefits just ran out. I want to file for extended Benefits, but was told I need to file for them, that they are not automatically implemented. They also told me that I would not be eligible for the EB because I was disqualified.But I would be able to appeal this . I don't understand what being "disqualified" actually represents , since I WAS ultimately entitled to was given unemployment benefits the last year and a half. Did I get incorrect info? What would be the likelyhood of qualifying for the EB on an appeal........Thanks.....

Bill, You have a job FOR NOW and that is great. You are implying that the longer termed unemployed are lazy and not looking. You are DEAD WRONG!!!!. I am one who gets out every single day and has applied to every place in this small little town!!!. Even driving 50 miles ONE WAY to try to find ANYTHING...........So when your time comes and you find yourself in an unemployed situation..........Don't cry me a River...........PS. CAN I HAVE YOUR JOB?. I WANT TO WORK.........

thats a great response pat in kingstree,everybody thats on unemployment isnt lazy deadbeats....most everybody i know unemployeed are stressed to the max, i know i am...theres no jobs here in the lil town i live in either....i dont wish it on nobody, tryin to get my unemployment has been the most stress i've had in quite a while...its been almost 12 weeks and i still havent received any pay at all they said i disqualified for 12 weeks i cant even find out what that means.....do you go 12 weeks unpaid then collect....do you get back pay on those 12 weeks????i have no clue, and cant get any answers...

Bill whoever you are don't waste people's time with stupid comments if you can't offer valuable help. People are unemployed and want real answers to their questions so since you are that stupid that you can't offer them,keep your fat mouth shut.

See, this is the problem. People who are on unemployment for ages using that as income instead of FINDING A JOB! there is a year and a half you could have found a new job. please don't hand me that you can't find one. its been long enough!

My new neighbours both draw unemployment benefits. She is a RN. They are drawing benefits from another state? Can you do this? I have found her a job w/a local nursing home but she says she's not ready to go to work yet? She's an RN there are jobs on every corner here... does unemplyment monitor these people?

why are you looking for jobs for other people? did you tell your neighbor you are researching if she should receive unemplyment.... stop worrying about this lady and how she pay her bills! get you a hobby you miserable evil 2 face bitch! dont be a hater all your life

I think this is what they call an Interstate Claim, Joey. You have to be able, available and actively seeking work. You are required to apply for jobs in person and 2 (I think) online per week. If you are offered a job you need to take it. Unemployment is not a license to sit back on your butt and collect cause you don't FEEL like going back to work RIGHT NOW). YOU ARE SO RIGHT. They have an RN behind them........they could be working next week. Just my opinion.

I worked i SC for 18 month prior to taking a job in California. I was just layed off my job in California after 4months employment. I'm a native Calfornian and will register for work in California. Will this affect my ability to collect unemployment?

I was disqualified for a week of unemployment because I ended up in the hospital due to problems with diabetes. I was only unavailable for work for a couple of days. I went to the unemployment office the day after I was released from the hospital. When can I receive benefits again?

I would in a extremely hostile workplace and there is only one person left that i can trust and im almost positive that we are both being fired monday for something we didnt do yet can prove someone else has. i dont want to step one foot back into there but didnt know what would happen if i quit. being fired looks terriable in the future so i would much rather qiut. whould it be possiable the get unempolyment if i do?

i work in a very hostile enviroment that is extermly coniving. there is only one person i can trust and i overheard all the other empolyees talking about us two being fired on monday for something we know we can prove someone else did if the reginal would lisson but he decided not to. i would hate to get fired from anywhere i know it look terriable in the future so if i quit could i get unempolyment?

if disqualified for 10 weeks you loose that money. I was disqualified for 16 weeks which ment no benefits until that was over and would have lost over $4000.00 I appealed and won .... Now they have to pay me from the begining.

If I quit my job due to loss of vehichle will I still be eligible for unemployment? Job requires you to have a vehichle to do bank runs, field calls, etc. I would not have transportation to and from during the hours required; also pay was 9.79 and is now 8.50 but company says that we can work 5 hrs overtime to make up for the loss wages that is not gauranteed.

I quit a job i had worked out for over six months to take a position with a new company. However, after working a week and a half with the new company, all employees were laid off as the business unexpectedly shut down. Can I get some sort of unemployment benefits?

I quit my job because of the hostility towards me for several years from my boss and the work conditions. I did not file for unemployment because I was told that if you quit, you are not allowed unemployment. I have been actively seeking a job for four months with no luck. Can I apply and appeal with a possibility of getting unemployment until a job opens up that I am hired for?

I recently moved to VA from SC and have not yet notified the SC unemployment folks of my change of address. When I called in my claim this week, the automated system told me that I have an eligibility review next week in SC -- and I cannot afford a trip back to SC. Neither can I afford to lose my benefits. I have searched the internet for a number or e-mail address to try to speak with or contact an actual person regarding this matter, but the only number I have found is an automated one that never results in speaking with an actual human. The notice has not arrived here in VA yet since it had to be forwarded from my old address, so I do not have the benefit of the instructions included with the notice. PLEASE HELP! Thanks in advance....

Currently drawing benefits after an 11 week disqualification I am only receiving a partial benefit as I am currently working part time, while looking for full time employment. My question: Since I am only receiving a partial benefit, my benefit year is about to end, but I still have funds in my account. If I file an extension will I receive those funds, or will the disqualification play into this? Also, how much of an extension will I be granted.

I have been @ my job for about a year and since being here I have went from taking one medication for hbp and since this year i now am on over 10 different meds from two new hbp meds, anxiety, depression, irratable bowel syndrom and several others. I just was out three weeks from suffering from a mini stroke that started as a migraine that blurred my vision WHILE driving. In my three week recovery I was slowley getting myself better and no longer had chest pains, no more stomach pains which caused my ibs everything was starting to look up. No longer than one day of me returning to work did my chest once again start giving me pains and my stomach started cramping again! If i leave this job due to health reasons am i still allowed to get umemployment if it is based on these health reasons? I cant afford not to work and get any income but the longer i work at this job it seems my health is slowly declining. i have also been searching for other places of employment with no responses for the past 4 months i just dont know what to do!

I have filed a claim since Nov. I still have not got paid on that and now my year is up. I had to file again. No one can tell me anything on my first claim except its being process. This has been going on since NOV. Please help.

A South Carolina resident was employed by our out-of-state (non-SC) non-profit organization for about five years but he was let go. The employee wishes to apply for SC unemployment benefits. Our organization did not pay into SC for unemployment insurance. Is there a way this can be done and what would the non-profit's liability be? Thanks.

I discovered an old unemployment check that had not been deposited in 2009. My bank has rejected the deposit now and referred me back to the Employment Security Commission for replacement. Please tell me how to receive the replacement check.Thank you.

I have filed for unemployment 5 weeks ago and still haven't heard if I qualify or not. Every time I call my local unemployment office the only answer I get is they are waiting for Columbia to respond. Does anyone know how long it usually takes?

I submitted for unemployment on 8th of July, but the representative for some reason cant read that and believes it's the 10th despite their own website showing it. It took them 10 days, with myself complianing before they would finally do an intake, during which they told me the employer had 48 hours in which to respond.. On the 27th I contacted Regional Office via email where a Mrs. Tina Nutter responded and said she didn't know what the hold up was and was sending my file to the Benefits Department. On the 9th of augusta I went to my county unemployment office , a 30-35 minute drive one way, where I was told that SC has their own WRITTEN POLICY which states they are to process claims in 4-6 weeks. The kicker here is the fact the FEDERAL GUIDELINES states these claims to be processed in 2-3 weeks! Anyways, I was told by the head Office Manager/Administrator that my file was still waiting for a determination. At this time I have takin the following actions: contacted the Governor's office with no feedback in over a week. Contacted my Senator who told me it wasn't a federal issue therefore they wern't going to do anything, mind you their disregard to follow federal regulations. Have thus sent information to both the federal DOL, my local district representative. The only feedback so far has been by the Federal Dept of labor: talktosolis@dol.gov

Have you received a anwser yet? It took 10 weeks for them to tell me no...I have appealed but that has been a month now. However, I have a wrongful termination law suit in a right to work state but dcan't get unemployment??? It's crazy!

I worked for the CCSD for 2 years, 7th/ 8th grade Math teacher, and this past year they said I didn't pass the ADEPT and didn't offer me a job. The unemployment Department sent me a letter saying I wsa disqulified for 16 weeks due to not passing the Adept. I blead for those kids, I worked 50 hours a week average. I went to extra classes on classroom management. I even played in the school district tennis tournament. I gave 100%. Now their saying it was my faught. The administration did very little to help me and gave me the hardest kids in the building. If I went back I would change nothing, I gave my all. What a crock of you know what. I graduated college with a 3.9 gpa. I only missed one day all year. How is it always the teachers faught? What can I do? When my credit cards run out I be under a bridge somewhere after trying to be a good, noble, teacher.

I was working part time legitimately then switched to An unverifiable source of income (construction) but now am currently working a regular full time job.we get laid off for 2 months in the winter though, am I eligible? This all happened within a year and I have been at my full time job for 3 months and we will be laid off in mid November.thanks

My doctor diagnose me with carpal tunnel on my job which all i do is heavy data entry on my job. i have been forced to quit due to medical reasons so that i want have to have surgery on my hands. can i receive uneployment?

I am currently in California and receiving unemployment benefits. I will be relocating to South Carolina in about 2 weeks permanently. When can I apply for SC Unemployment benefits while I am looking for a job in SC?

OK. So heres the deal I gave my employer a 2 week notice and even though I put it in they still fired me and said "since i'm putting in my two week notice they might as well go ahead and fire me" which I though wasnt right. I just wanna know can i get unemployment for this situation i was on the job for a year.

I was disqualified to fraud, so they say I owe 640.00 and was disqualified for 8 weeks. Have been on my job for 4 years and we always get laid off in October. I have been filing for all 8 weeks and they weren't taking the money so I have been filing for nothing. My disqualification ended on December22 and they said they were going to start taking it now. So what was the purpose of me filing for 8 weeks? Bullshit!

I was disqualified for 20 weeks. I appealed and lost. I appealed the appeal. My 20 weeks will be up 4/15/13. I still have not found a job. I have a child with a chronic illness and I have to work while she is in school. The crazy thing is they lied and I had proof and they still turned down my appeal...

I would like to know if I would be eligible for unemployment benefits if I quit. I was hired by a company in Houston to work out of North Carolina but after my training I was told I had to work in South Carolina. I have a two hour drive to work and a two hour drive home every day. The job is very stressful and I find myself working longer and longer hours. I was in a car accident in November 2012 due to complete exhaustion. I feel like I am being pushed out, everything I do is questioned and more work keeps being piled on. I was told my working hours are from eight to five and I would be written up if I came in late but I am expected to take work with me on the weekends. Due to the stress level I have been getting migraines more often – I can’t seem to control them with my medication anymore. I don’t know what options I have now. I have been looking for work closer to home but have not been successful.

I have a doctor's release, after having open heart surgery, to return to work on 3-1-13. I have been out since 10-23-12. I took my release to my manager, and she informs me that she doesn't have my job open. She hired two people. I am a full time employee, but she is offering me a part time position. I ldrive 2 hours a day to work. I can't afford to go for that. I also lose all my benefits. Can I quit and draw unemployment benefits? Thanks in advance for any information you can give me!

I M My question is the following! I was working 1st shift and than my surpervisor decided to change me to 3rd shift I refused to work that shift, for the fact that i dont have anyone to babysit my 5yr old son.. does that disqualify me for unemployment?

Got fired today in SC for a bad attitude. The attitude was because I was getting every lousy job to work on and the other guy was being favoritized so I would complain about that and got into an altercation so i was fired for that "attitude". I worked there 20yrs and this is the thanks I get.Question: Is it worth trying to file for unemployment? this business prides itself on never having a past employee ever collect..i know I been there to see lots of employee's come and go and heard the comments about never paying out.

I am writing to find out what is the time period I have to file a claim. I was wrongfully fired from my last position (actually taken off of the schedule) and it was not because of my job performance or lack of work, it was personal, because they did not like me.

I recently accepted a job that will have me employed for the next 6 weeks, but during the summer I will not be paid. Then, the job will start up again in August. Would that qualify for unemployment? I can't accept another job, because I have one contracted to start back up in August, but I would be willing to do summer work only.

in a nut shell I was working a part time job and receiving partial unemployment. I looked for a full time job as instructed by SCDEW. I was offered a full time job with benefits on Feb,14th. I put in my notice for Feb 25. My last day of work comes and I get a letter in the mail that the Full time employer has given the job to someone else. My employer had already interviewed other people and policy is once you give notice you can not reapply with the company for 6 months. I got denied UE based on quit for no good reason. I am appealing but I followed what they instructed and now I'm not eligibe, it makes no sense. It's May and I still have no appeal date.

I have a question: my wife worked in Savanah, GA and lives in SC. She was forced to resign from her job. Is she eligeble for unemployment even if she resigned? and is it GA unemployment or SC unemployment?

I quit my job because I have health issues and was not able todo my job the way it should have been done. I would forget things and not do things I should have done. I was way over stressed and overworked. I have been advised by several people, even my doctor that I should try to get disability. We all know how long that takes. Can I receive unemployment.

About a week ago, I was permanently hired full-time by a company from a temporary agency. The company that hired me has closed for the next two weeks thus causing me to not be paid for those weeks since I am a new hire. Can I file and receive unemployment benefits?

I had to leave my job one Saturday and go to the emergency room bc I couldnot hardly walk . I notified my supervisor and she called in another worker. I was diagnosed with gout. Followed up in 7days. Dr. Said gout. Out of work with dr excuses. Foot was still swollen. Dr.gave me excuse. In the mean time I had vacation time so I asked my immedient supervisor to take she said yes While out the executive director fired me without cause. She said I quit but I didnot I was out on medical. I didnot take a leave or absence. I had dr. Excuse. What can I do if I was denied. She lied.

I think it's pretty ridiculous and frustrating that you can't even speak to a person at the sc unemployment office. I have questions that need to be answered and are not on the website. SC is the only state I know of that you can't get a hold of an actual person!!

Looking to hire a part time employee until a full time position becomes available, the applicant is currently on unemployment however, I can only provide them with two days of work. Will they still be able to draw partial unemployment?

The unemployment office in downtown Charleston is no longer open to the public. You can continue to mail things to that location, but if you need to speak to someone, you must call 1-866-831-1724 (Option 4) weekdays between 8:30am and 4:00pm.

I work for a company based out of FL, I am a contractor and the company we contract with here in Greenville is ending the contract on Aug. 30. We were informed that is when our last day will be. I have only lived in SC since the end of Oct 2012. Would I be eligable for benefits since I have not lived here for at least a year?

The monetary test for eligibility is based on the amount of money you earned while working, not necessarily how long you worked there. If you earned at least $4,455 in the first four of the last five quarters and at least $1,092 in one quarter of that time period you will most likely be monetarily eligible.

My question is this- I receive EUC benefits and my year has almost come to an end,but I have only gotten benefits for about 4 months. I just want to know if when I file a renewal form do I also file an extension for the EUC also?

When your benefit year ends, you will need to file a new initial claim to see if you have any regular (non-EUC) UI benefit eligiblity. If so, you may start receiving that instead of the EUC benefits. If you don't have any UI eligiblity or the UI eligiblity is significantly lower than your current EUC benefits, you will continue on your EUC.

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